College Schedules

Depends, midweeks are non conference games and that is typically dependent on distance and convenience more than it has to do with the record of the other team.

Could also be a tough conference where non conference opponents are generally easier.

Also cold weather schools are going to have to travel for the first month and a half of the season. Some want to play tougher teams to boost RPI, some stronger northern programs will face inferior southern programs for the free wins.

I wouldn't read too much into conf/non conf record.

@Francis7 posted:

Do a lot of colleges make sure that their non-conference games are against teams that they know they will beat?

I see some college teams with overall winning percentages that are like .600, .700 or higher...but then the team is below .500 or worse within their conference.

How common is this?

In the typical Boston College season their ACC record is well below .500 while their non conference record is dominant. It’s because outside playing UConn once or twice there’s isn’t D1 competition at their level within day trip distance.

If a team is in a tough conference and ranked they’re only going to play so many tough non cons. It could knock down their RPI. Plus the mid majors want to play the major conference teams in non con games. It’s for recruiting. They didn’t want you. But you can play against them.

I'd say weaker teams in colder weather states do the opposite. They play better schools in the beginning of the season because of weather and "guarantees".

What gets tricky is towards the end of the season. My son's team got their mid-week cancelled next week because it was a lose/lose for the other team. Just by playing us it would lower their RPI and they can potentially host a regional. I don't blame them

We won by run rule a few weeks ago and lost 12 spots in RPI because of the team we played.  They are new to D1 and I'm sure we paid them to come play.  Watch some of the top teams.  They will cancel games over the next few weeks for that very reason.  I think they should be penalized.  You scheduled it, you play it or take a loss.

Teams that care about getting at large bids to NCAA will try to play a tougher schedule, teams that don't think they have a shot outside of winning their conference with an automatic bid, may or may not schedule tougher teams.  All depends on coaches philosophy of preparing for conference by winning or playing hard teams.

Region matters as to what your competition can be, as well as which spring trip you take, some organized areas like RussMatt and Ripkin etc. schedule your games based on your past records, so often you just end up playing competition at or below your level (particularly D3).

Strength of schedule is pretty important for those constant second and third place teams in the conference.

@PitchingFan posted:

We won by run rule a few weeks ago and lost 12 spots in RPI because of the team we played.  They are new to D1 and I'm sure we paid them to come play.  Watch some of the top teams.  They will cancel games over the next few weeks for that very reason.  I think they should be penalized.  You scheduled it, you play it or take a loss.

K-State is on the bubble this year.  Last week they cancelled a mid week game when they were in California because just playing would have hurt their RPI, win or lose.    That's the big issue with weighing the RPI so much for at large births, imo.

We always try to punch above our weight. A few of those 5-3 losses against top teams makes your RPI soar.

For some D1 P5s it matters.   For others that only get one conference bid to NCAA regionals it doesn't matter much.  From my perspective, it is about getting your team reps in warmer weather and trying to find that "best" lineup that can be ready for conference play.   Its always all about conference play.

JMO.

In general, my son’s D3 usually has the same non conference opponents, similar teams from the immediate region. (Besides of course the Florida trip at the beginning of the season)…

In my sons conference, trying to get an at-large bid is like hoping for ice not to melt in Arizona in July. If you want to go to the NCAA tournament, you gotta win the conference tournament.

@Francis7 posted:

Do a lot of colleges make sure that their non-conference games are against teams that they know they will beat?

I see some college teams with overall winning percentages that are like .600, .700 or higher...but then the team is below .500 or worse within their conference.

How common is this?

Are you asking for D1 or Juco?